Tribal Triumph

So, how many Pontiacs can there be in the world? No, not just those famous for Super Duty engines, Tri-power carburetion, wide-track handling, and “tigers in their tanks,” but other namesakes associated with the marque as well. Traced to its roots, the Pontiac brand name harkens back to Chief Pontiac, a tribal leader famous for spearheading successful actions against British troops in the Great Lakes region after the French and Indian War. Then there is Pontiac, Michigan, of course, the beloved birthplace for so many extraordinary performance vehicles. Lesser known but equally important is Pontiac, Illinois, which became the center of the Pontiac universe last fall.

Pontiac is a little Midwestern town that sits near what was once Route 66, and it is home to the newly established Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center, which is professionally supervised by Pontiac-Oakland Club International (POCI) members Tim and Penny Dye.

This new historical center was dedicated in July 2011, and it seemed to provide all the “Pontiac Excitement” necessary to recommend it as a location for the third annual All-Pontiac Show in 2011. The city even upped the ante by reminding event organizers that it had the Route 66 Museum available to enjoy. That was enough to tip the scales, making this quaint country metropolis an easy choice to host some of Pontiac’s finest vehicles on a late-summer weekend.

This three-day congregation was sponsored by the Grand Prix Chapter of POCI. Chapter President Mark Pataluch and V.P. Steve Fluery worked hard to get everything organized and purring like a balanced and blueprinted RA-IV. Despite some initially inclement weather, participants still drove in from as far away as Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, and even Ontario, Canada. Eventually, 54 rare Pontiacs were parked and polished to perfection.

For most attendees, this was their first visit to the new museum, which was filled to the brim with dazzling vehicles, an extensive reference library, and a nicely stocked gift shop. Visitors were unanimous in their opinion that this new museum far exceeded expectations.

The weather turned beautiful Saturday afternoon, offering incentive to stroll through the courthouse square and revel in the mighty machines on display. The city of Pontiac provided free bus service around the town, including pick-up and drop-off between both museums. In the evening, participants attended a seminar provided by John Weiss, historian and chairman of the Route 66 Preservation Committee.

Those who had not yet headed off by Sunday morning were invited to collectively cruise for about 60 miles to Starved Rock State Park near Utica, Illinois, an area significant in Native American history and a final cultural tie-in with the brand name’s roots.

The Grand Prix chapter is striving to make the 2012 event even better, but details have yet to be announced. Pontiac enthusiasts can monitor the Grand Prix Chapter website at grandprixchapterofamerica.com for more information.